Blog Layout
7 TIPS TO PREVENT WILDLIFE COLLISIONS
Admin • May 1, 2018
Deer mating season is over in Michigan, but that does not mean that drivers can relax. Unfortunately, wildlife collisions are a threat any time of the year, and many accidents happen during the summer months when people spend more time in rural areas to take in the gorgeous views.
Whether you've lived around wildlife all your life or are hoping to catch your first view of a live deer in the wild, use these tips to prevent a dangerous collision with animals on the road.
1. Watch for Warning Signs
You should always drive in rural areas with the assumption that wild animals could suddenly try to cross the road. However, you need to be especially wary if you see deer or other wild animal crossing signs. These bright yellow signs are placed where animals are known to cross frequently.
2. Be Alert During Prime Feeding Time
The majority of animals tend to be the most active in the hours just around dusk and dawn. During these hours, deer, elk, and moose are actively feeding as they prepare to sleep or wake up for the day. Unfortunately, this is also the time of day when low natural light levels may make wild animals harder to detect. If you're driving during these feeding times, you need to be extra vigilant.
3. Scan the Road as You Drive
During the spring and summer months, deer tend to approach roads to get to green grass before they retreat back to their shaded resting spots. You are also more likely to see animals if you are driving alongside a river or stream that they use for water. Ideally, you should scan the road from side to side to look for animals as you drive.
In the evening hours, you can often glimpse a flash on the side of the road from your headlights illuminating the animal's eyes. If you spot this flash, immediately slow down and proceed with even more caution.
4. Expect More When You See One
Most wild animals travel in groups, especially during the dusk and dawn hours when predators are also wandering about. Never assume that the threat is over just because you passed a single deer or moose. Typically, other animals are nearby that are just as likely to run out into the road.
5. Keep Your Vehicle Maintained
Proper vehicle maintenance goes a long way toward the prevention of car collisions with animals. Make sure that you have working headlights that can help you see wild animals in the dark. If you plan to travel in low populated areas, then you should also make sure that the high beams work.
In addition to your headlights, your car should be outfitted with quality tires that are properly inflated and brakes that are in good condition so that you can stop quickly if an animal does get in your path.
6. Limit Distractions in Your Vehicle
The best way to avoid a collision of any type is to limit distractions when you are driving. Avoid eating while you drive, and place your cell phone where you won't be tempted to use it. You should also preview your route before driving in unfamiliar areas so that you can keep your eyes on the road and not the GPS.
7. Know How to Handle a Potential Collision
There is always the possibility of catching an animal in your path, despite your best efforts. If this happens, do not slam on the brakes or try to swerve, since you could accidentally turn your car in the path of the animal's escape. Instead, steer your car straight ahead and apply gentle pressure to the brakes.
If you do hit the animal, then call 9-1-1 to report the accident and seek help for any injuries. Keep in mind that you should never drive a car that is possibly compromised from a collision. Call for a tow
if the vehicle has serious damage.
At Rusko Service Center, we'd rather you be safe on the road than need to call for a tow, but we are here 24-hours a day just in case you need us. Keep our contact information handy, and get out there to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
If your car has a dead battery, jump-starting the car could get you back on the road quickly. Read this blog fora basic guide to jump-starting a car.
The moment you see your car keys sitting in your car and realize that the doors are locked, you may wonder what you need to do to gain access to your car and retrieve your keys. Here are the steps you should follow if you have locked your keys in your vehicle.
Whether you drive a semi-trailer or a commercial box truck, road safety is likely one of your top priorities. Tires are at particular risk on large vehicles that travel long distances. A blowout at highway speeds can lead to roll-overs, damage to your truck or nearby passenger vehicles, and injuries. You can avoid these problems if you know three common issues that affect your truck's tires.
An accident or vehicle malfunction can happen at any time, and it is never convenient for the owner. A tow may be the only option. No one wants to leave their vehicle behind, but sometimes it is necessary for safety reasons or because of other responsibilities. Drivers must be cautious when a roadside tow means a vehicle is left without any occupants. The owner could experience legal problems or incur more expenses if they do not handle the situation appropriately. A few extra steps can help ensure a vehicle comes home safely or arrives at a repair facility without any additional damage.
If you're a contractor who runs your own business, your goals are to make customers happy, grow your business, and increase your profits. And if you're like most contractors, you rely on one or more vehicles to reach your service customer. Your vehicle transports you, your employees, and important gear and tools to a job site. Your business flow suffers if you're unable to reach that customer when vehicular emergency grounds you. So learn about three compelling reasons contractors need emergency roadside assistance.
The trucking industry continues to steadily grow and generated over $700 billion in 2017. This type of growth combined with the nature of trucking only means an increased potential for accidents among truckers. Trucking accidents block or snarl traffic, cause damage to goods in transit, and cause injury and fatalities to passengers. Rollover accidents account for a mere 3.3% of truck accidents, but this dramatic crash type causes more than half of fatalities. These staggering statistics highlight the need for increased trucker awareness of how to prevent a rollover scenario. Take a look at how to avoid these three surprising causes of semi-truck rollovers.
One of the biggest reasons people get stranded is tire issues. Since you never really know when your tires may cause you to be stranded, problems can put you in a dangerous position. Therefore, you want to do your best to prevent tire problems to the best of your ability. The information below will help guide you through checking for tire related problems, help you keep your tires in better shape, and educate you on what to do if you experience tire issues while you are driving.
When you're moving within the 48 contiguous United States, transporting your belongings by road is usually the best option regardless of the amount of distance between your current house and final destination. Moving certain items by ground for long distances, however, can be difficult. For many homeowners, vehicles can present particularly tricky transportation challenges during a move, especially when the household has several personal vehicles and any additional recreational vehicles. In this situation, you have to determine how best to get your moving truck and your truck, car, SUV, boat, or RV to your new home. Long-haul towing services can provide you with the perfect solution to this dilemma. In this blog, we provide you with the information you need to decide if towing is the right choice for moving with your vehicle.
Although engines naturally produce a lot of heat, excessive heat underneath the hood of your commercial truck can increase the risk of engine damage. Due to long-distance travel, trailer trucks are especially prone to overheating. Whether you are experiencing an overheating situation with your engine or you want to take precautions and avoid engine trouble, here is a quick guide to help you understand the reasons why your truck's engine could overheat and how you can deal with this problem.
The fact that your child is now old enough to drive is a scary concept to embrace, but once your child has a taste of the open road, you can't do much to hold them back. However, you can do a lot when it comes to keeping your child safe on the road. Whether you are planning to buy a car for your child or they will drive your vehicle, address these important safety tips before handing over the keys.
Deer mating season is over in Michigan, but that does not mean that drivers can relax. Unfortunately, wildlife collisions are a threat any time of the year, and many accidents happen during the summer months when people spend more time in rural areas to take in the gorgeous views. Whether you've lived around wildlife all your life or are hoping to catch your first view of a live deer in the wild, use these tips to prevent a dangerous collision with animals on the road.
Getting stranded on the side of the road, or even in a parking lot, is never less fun than in the middle of winter. Sadly, snowy weather and cold temperatures only make car trouble more likely. Though you cannot guarantee you won't run into an emergency situation on the road this winter, there are a few preventative steps you can take to decrease the risk - and to ensure you're prepared if such an emergency does arise.
Most people don't plan when their car will need to be towed. Your car may not start one day and need to be towed to a mechanic, you may be involved in an accident and need your car towed to a collision center or you may have a tire blowout and need your car towed to a repair shop.
313-274-4565
ComCheck, EFS, T-Checks